C2 on C4 frame ? ?
 

Just dreaming here and I wondered if a C2 body would fit on a C4 frame. I hear of guys who build Grand Sport replicas using C4 suspension, so that made me wonder if they used the frame from the C4 also. I know some GS replicas have a tube frame... but others ? ?
Any input?

Local guy had this 65 Corvair that he thought was a bit underpowered. Found a Jaguar V12 engine and put in the front with rear wheel drive. Closing the hood it would hit the induction system from the Jag engine, so he replaced the carb system with 2 injection systems from Buick V-6 engine. No room for air conditioning compressor so he placed a stock GM compressor (same type as on C2/3 Corvettes at the rear axle and drove it with a belt running off the torque converter.

I was showing our 98 Jag XJR at a local car show in the Jaguar class. The Chevy's were parked some ways away, and here was this Corvair parked out there kinda all by himself. I stopped by to take a look at his car and asked him why he was parked in the middle of nowhere. He said that Jags wouldn't have him and neither would the Chevy's. The guy was probably 80 years old at the time, and told me that he had done the job all by himself in his garage. Car looked like a totally stock old Corvair.

Getting to your question, it could be done, but you likely are going to need the skills and perseverance of this gentlemen, and likely some very deep pockets.

I've seen made up C1's,,I think they are perhaps 61's that are mounted on some type of later Corvette chassis. Cars look a bit strange until you realize that they are several inches wider than a stock C1. The firm that was building was set up as a vendor at the Pebble Beach Concour some 3 or so years ago.

I just pulled up a link to the building of this Corvair. Fascinating project.

http://www.corvaircorsa.com/V-12-01.html

Isn't the C4 unibody? The C5 went back to body on frame and is a better design to boot :thumbs:.

Had to go all the way to Page 4 to find it:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...it-window.html

Bizarre. But good work :thumbs:!

C4's don't have a frame. :thumbs:

There is a gentleman locally that has sculpted a 56 body onto a C-4. It took him a lot of time and effort and he came up with an item that is well done and looks interesting until you get to the windshield. The angle and dimension of that C-4 windshield takes the whole project right into the toilet.

Just goes to show that just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD do something.

Rich:cheers:

So what are C2's using for different frames that use C4 supsensions, that the C2 body is still "correct"?

Aftermarket frames made specifically for that conversion. There are several......

Or you can adapt the C4 suspension on to the existing C1 frame (have not heard it being done on a C2 frame, but might be possible).

Plasticman

I've actually seen the opposite. When I worked at the auto center in Daytona Beach while in college, a guy came in for new tires. Had a nice Jag, and I noticed the front license plate said "Rat Power."

I asked him what that was about, and he popped the hood. Said the original 12 cyl was junk, and he put a Big Blcock in it! Said it was quite a performance improvement.

At one time they had kits to put a small block into the Jag, don't know if they still do.

SR III, Morrison, Street Shop, Jamieson, Newman

All of them make frames to fit under original and after market (Hitek Hotrod) C-2 bodies and all of them make frames that will accept C-4 and later suspension.

I saw three of the C-4/67's at Carlisle last year. That windshield angle does NOTHING for the C-2 look. It just ain't fittin.

Rich:cheers:

Hmmm A right hand drive corvette with no frame :eek:........... bummer

Doug

I've seen Jags with big block Chevy engines,,a couple extremely well done. Mix this beautiful body with a GM 454, R-700, GM A/C and modern electronics and you have a really great combination that you would have a very difficult time duplicating with any new automobile sold today for elegance, performance, prestige and price of admission.

http://www.julesverne.ca/jaguar/xjcphotos.html

Out of the great desert of the mid 70's in car design, this was like the BMW CSI's the only cars that stood out in their beauty. IMHO!

Any reproduction Grand Sport that uses C4 suspension almost certainly has it attached to a tube frame.

I've never seen one with C4 suspension grafted to a C2 frame, but I suppose with enough motivation it would be possible.....

Jim

To insinuate this is and the body panels are all that holds a C4 together is ridiculous!

Exactly what is this?
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1984-corvette-8.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...oz/519a_12.jpg

By the way this question is rhetorical, I know some of you will call it anything but a frame, which does not eliminate the fact it is what it is.

That's correct - it's not a frame - it's a unitized body monocoque, which must be used in its entirety in order to maintain its structural integrity. If you remove the cowl and B-pillar/hoop structure to use a different body on it, it becomes a wet noodle. :thumbs: